Over the past few days, I participated in the Introduction to Targeted Troubleshooting training course at TVH University . This course is part of a practical technical training program designed to give technicians more insight, skills, and confidence in diagnosing and resolving electrical faults in industrial vehicles.
For many in our profession, replacing an electronic control unit (box, controller, or printed circuit board) is the first thing that comes to mind when electrical faults occur. During this training, I was reaffirmed that this is rarely the real cause—and that targeted testing is often faster, cheaper, and more effective.
Why this training is valuable
The Introduction to Targeted Troubleshooting training course is designed for technicians responsible for the maintenance and repair of electrical machinery such as forklifts, pallet trucks, and aerial work platforms. You will learn:
- reading electrical diagrams
- locate, recognize and check power components
- making diagnoses using charts and measuring instruments
- detect errors using a systematic method
This combination of theory and practice helps you troubleshoot faster and with more confidence — without immediately replacing what you haven't measured.
The real problem often lies elsewhere
What struck me most during the training is that technical courses like this force you to think structurally before replacing a part.
In practice you will notice that:
- ±90% of electrical faults are primarily related to the battery or power supply
- The vast majority of other faults can be traced back to cables, plug connections or grounds
- electronic controls are often wrongly replaced while they themselves are functioning correctly
In other words: whoever measures before replacing saves time, money and certainty.
The V4 method: logical and effective
During the training we worked according to a systematic approach that is easily applicable in the field:
- V1 – Nutrition
Checking the battery and voltage under load - V2 – Consumer
What does the user really ask for? - V3 – Connection + line
Cables and connectors: transition resistances and oxidation - V4 – Connection – line
Masses: often underestimated but crucial
This method prevents unnecessary replacements and provides direction for every diagnosis.
More targeted work = better for everyone
Investing in technical training like this is investing in craftsmanship. By understanding what's truly broken—and what isn't—you save:
- unnecessary costs
- downtime
- frustration among technicians and customers
That's good for the customer and good for yourself.
More about TVH University
Interested in participating or learning more about the training programs? Visit the TVH University website: TVH University – Technical Training